Airbnb Hopes to Win Political Favor in Philadelphia

Getty Images/Lonely Planet Images

Cailey Rizzo

July 26, 2016

Airbnb is on a mission to make a big impact at the Democratic National Convention this week.

After New York City made it illegal to advertise entire homes for rent for less than 30 days on the site, Airbnb is fighting back with force in Philadelphia. The home rental platform is not only hosting a panel on the sharing economy, but has allotted a five-figure budget to advertise in Philadelphia during the DNC.

The company is hoping that through the panel, ads and party co-hosted with BET, they will be able to win the affections of influential Democrats during the convention.

Sitting on Airbnb’s home-sharing panel will be several Democrats with connections to the Obama White House. The panel is expected to talk not only about recent regulations, but the recent #AirbnbWhileBlack scandal.

But there are still many vocal critics of Airbnb in the party. Last month, Elizabeth Warren asked the Federal Trade Commision to investigate Airbnb’s effect on affordable housing in cities.

In Philadelphia this week, Airbnb estimated that 5,200 guests would arrive and stay at Airbnbs—with 16 percent of those guests coming from Washington, D.C.

Airbnb’s push to endear itself to Democrats comes a week after it reached an agreement with Los Angeles. However last month, Airbnb filed a lawsuit against San Francisco. The city’s Board of Supervisors voted to fine Airbnb and similar home rental services up to $1,000 per day each time a host on the platform advertises a home without being registered.